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Masterson strikes out seven vs. D-backs

Opening Day starter allows one earned run over five innings

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Masterson's seven strikeouts 0:55

3/22/13: Justin Masterson strikes out seven D-backs over five innings in a spring tuneup

By Jordan Bastian
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MLB.com |

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Patrick Corbin continued his push for the fifth spot in the D-backs' rotation and Arizona took advantage of a pair of Cleveland errors, paving the way for a 7-5 Cactus League victory over the Indians on Friday night at Goodyear Ballpark.

Indians Opening Day starter Justin Masterson was charged with five runs in his five innings of work, but the big sinkerballer was only responsible for one earned run due to a pair of mistakes behind him. In the second inning, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera misplayed a grounder in a three-run inning for Arizona. In the fourth, Lonnie Chisenhall made a throwing error that led to a run for the D-backs.

"I thought he was fighting his two-seamer a little bit," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "That's not the worst thing, because it's going to happen sometimes during the year. We got him stretched to almost 100 [pitches], so that's good."

Gerardo Parra chipped in an RBI double in the fourth inning against Masterson, who struck out seven and walked three in his outing.

In his sixth outing of the spring, Corbin limited the Tribe to two runs on three hits over five innings. The left-hander is competing against Randall Delgado -- acquired from the Braves in the Justin Upton trade -- for the final spot in Arizona's starting staff.

Corbin's lone lapse came in the third inning, when the hot-hitting Michael Brantley capitalized on a bases-loaded situation. After Corbin walked the bases full, Brantley drilled a pitch into center field for a two-run single that scored Chisenhall and Drew Stubbs.

Corbin ended the evening with four strikeouts and three walks. For the spring, he has posted a 3.66 ERA, allowing eight runs on 23 hits with 19 strikeouts and seven walks in 19 2/3 innings.

Mark Teahen and Cliff Pennington connected for consecutive doubles off reliever Jerry Gil in a two-run sixth inning for Arizona.

In the home half of the sixth, Cleveland designated hitter Mark Reynolds crushed a pitch from D-backs pitcher David Hernandez for a two-run home run. The moonshot sailed high over the top of the tall scoreboard that sits behind the left-field lawn seats. That capped off a three-run outburst that cut Arizona's lead to 7-5.

"Wow," Francona said. "That was impressive. That's what he's here for. When he takes that good swing, and he stays through the ball, he backspins that ball and he has that ability."

Up next for the Indians: The race for the final spot in the Indians' rotation is down to lefty Scott Kazmir and righty Carlos Carrasco. Kazmir, who last pitched a full season in the Majors in 2010, is slated to take the hill for the Tribe on Saturday, when Cleveland hits the road for a 4:10 p.m. ET Cactus League clash with the Mariners. The game will be aired live on MLB Network in the Cleveland television market and will be available on the radio on WTAM-1100 AM and on the Indians Radio Network.